Pediatric trauma supplies for head injuries

Pediatric trauma supplies maybe used for head injuries depending on whether the injury is external or internal. In children, most falls or blows result in external injury to the scalp, which can be scary but are not nearly as bad as they look. As any pro wrestler who has ever cut themselves intentionally to cause bleeding during a match (blading) could tell you, scalp wounds bleed heavily but heal quickly and easily. This is because the scalp has plenty of blood vessels, and the swelling that follow a blow to the head is actually produced by the veins leaking blood or fluid into and under the scalp.

As a parents of a child who is not an infant, is not unconscious, and is alert and behaves normally after falling or sustaining a blow to the head, apply an ice pack or instant cold pack on the injured area for 20 minutes every 3-4 hours. The child should be observed closely for the next 24 hours, including during sleep; as long as the child breathes normally and has a normal color there is no need to keep them awake after an injury, even if they fall asleep shortly after the incident – for instance, if it happened around naptime or bedtime.

On the other hand, you should call a doctor if the child doesn’t stop crying and cannot be comforted, complains of head and neck pain, keeps vomiting, is difficult to awaken, or does not walk normally. Moreover, look out for the following signs of an internal injury:

· Unconsciousness that lasts for longer than a few minutes.

· Irregular breathing.

· Noticeably serious wound.

· Bleeding from the nose, ear, or mouth.

· Speech or vision disturbances.

· Difference in size of pupils.

· Stiff or aching neck.

· Seizure.

Do not hesitate to call 911. While help arrives, observe the following advice for conscious and unconscious children:

· Do not clean the wound, since this may worsen bleeding and cause complications if the skull is fractured.

· Do not exert direct pressure on the wound for the same reason.

· Do not remove objects embedded in the wound.

· Do not move the child in case there is injury to the neck or spine.

· If the child is vomiting or having a seizure, turn them on their side while keeping the head and neck straight to prevent choking.

A concussion is a specific type of internal head injury in which there is temporary loss of normal brain function. A concussion can be mild and leave no permanent damage, but repeated concussions can lead to long-term brain damage. Signs of a concussion include:

· ‘Seeing stars.’

· Dizziness.

· Lightheadedness.

· Not being able to remember what occurred before and after the injury.

· Vomiting.

· Headaches

· Blurry vision.

· Photophobia.

· Speech problems.

· Cognitive issues.

· Loss of coordination or balance.

· Anxiety.

· Irritability.

Children usually suffer concussions while playing sports. Therefore, in addition to pediatric trauma supplies parents should make sure that their children wear adequate safety gear such as a helmet when playing baseball or football, skating, biking, snowboarding, skiing, &c. It’s important that parents stress that safety comes before social acceptance. That is, children should not succumb to peer pressure even if their friends say that wearing a helmet is not cool. Furthermore, parents should childproof their homes and ensure children wear seatbelt or child safety seat at all times when riding a car. If a child is indeed diagnosed with a concussion by a doctor, he or she should refrain from sports until the physician clears them to play.